It was just a formality at the time, but it’s a done deal now. Max Anderson is now a Tennessee Volunteer.
Anderson, a Top247 offensive line prospect from Reedy High School in Dallas-area Frisco, Texas, joined Tennessee on Wednesday.
Anderson remains in the Top247, with 247Sports ranking him as the nation’s No. 246 overall prospect and No. 12 interior offensive line prospect. In addition, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite ranks him as the nation’s No. 271 overall prospect and No. 17 interior offensive line prospect.
Wednesday’s announcement was merely a formality because Anderson, like many of his new classmates, is already on campus and practicing with the 21st-ranked Vols as they prepare to play 17th-ranked Iowa in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day in Orlando.
The 6-foot-5, 309-pound Anderson had two dozen offers but ultimately chose Tennessee over Oklahoma after visiting both schools on consecutive weekends in June. He chose the Vols despite his brother (Nate Anderson) being an offensive lineman for the Sooners.
Anderson told GoVols247’s Ryan Callahan the day he committed to Tennessee (June 21) that he “just felt the most at home” in Knoxville.
“The culture’s crazy,” Anderson said. “Fans, super-awesome people. The players — I really fit in everywhere. After Knoxville, I kind of had, like, a gut feeling that’s the place. But I kind of just had to take that last official visit just to see if I missed anything.”
Anderson said his connection with Tennessee’s coaching staff throughout the recruiting process played a big part in his decision. He told GoVols247 he was amazed when Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee took him fishing on his official visit. Anderson is a lifelong angler.
“The coaching staff, I just never met anyone like that around the country,” Anderson said. “They’re just different people. They all care about each other. They’ve been with each other for, like, 10-plus years, and that says a lot. It’s just, like, a family oriented place, and I really like that.”
Anderson was a two-sport standout at Reedy, winning an area championship and advancing to the Texas 5A Division I regionals in shot put. He was an even bigger star on the football field, though, consistently producing impressive performances in a large classification of one of the most talent-rich football states in the country. Reedy helped the Lions go undefeated in the regular season as a senior before they lost a 28-26 heartbreaker to Mansfield Timberview in the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
Tennessee, like most programs, likes versatile offensive linemen, but the general consensus about Anderson is that he projects a bit better inside than at tackle. He moved full-time to left guard as a senior at Reedy to better prepare himself for the next level.
Gabe Brooks, a 247Sports national scouting analyst, also projects Anderson as an interior lineman at Tennessee.
“Big, strong classic guard prospect with plug-and-play size and enough functional athleticism to possibly allow some roster value and position versatility,” Brooks wrote in the summer. “Good height and mass with requisite arm length for an interior spot. Experience inside and at tackle against good high school competition (Texas 5A). Knows how to use his hands and consistently initiates contact. Hand placement is good and combines with lower-body drive to overwhelm many opponents. Adequate foot quickness to get to targets on schedule as a puller and a climber. Flashes some engaging power at times when getting to a linebacker.
“Can improve balance and body control, particularly when engaged. Owns requisite length for an IOL, but lacks ideal length if living outside. Flashes impressive strength and power but can get more consistent in heavy-handedness in the phone booth. Bona fide high-major offensive line prospect who fits a traditional mauling guard role quite well.
“Projects as a potential multi-year starter at a [Power 5] program with a developmental ceiling beyond college.
